Can You Bring Your Dog to Costa Rica? Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Planning on bringing your dog to Costa Rica? This time, we will review a case and will provide the requirements provided by government agencies and airlines.

When Sarah Martinez booked her flight to Costa Rica to start her new life as a digital nomad, she had everything planned perfectly—her remote work setup, her apartment in Escazú, her residency application timeline. There was just one problem: she hadn’t figured out how to bring Max, her 8-year-old Golden Retriever.

“I assumed it would be like domestic travel—just show up with a carrier and a health certificate,” Sarah told me months later. “I had no idea that the process had completely changed in 2024, or that my 70-pound dog couldn’t even travel as checked baggage anymore.”

Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Every month, I work with clients relocating to Costa Rica who are shocked to discover that bringing their dog is far more complex—and expensive—than they imagined. Some face costs exceeding $4,000. Others miss critical documentation and can’t board their flight. A few discover at the airport that their medium-sized dog has almost no travel options from the United States.

But here’s the good news: Costa Rica is actually one of the most pet-friendly countries in Central America. There’s no quarantine period, the entry requirements are straightforward, and thousands of people successfully bring their dogs every year. The key is understanding what’s changed, planning early, and knowing which mistakes to avoid.

The First Question: Can Your Dog Actually Fly to Costa Rica?

Before diving into the logistics, let’s establish the basics.

Your dog must be:

• At least 8 weeks old (though realistically 6+ months is better)
• Free from breed restrictions (Costa Rica accepts all breeds, but airlines don’t)
• Accompanied by proper health documentation
• Traveling via one of three methods: in-cabin, checked baggage, or cargo

Costa Rica doesn’t ban any breeds, which is great news if you have a pit bull or Rottweiler. According to Costa Rica’s Ministry of Agriculture (SENASA), the country welcomes all domestic dog breeds. However, airlines impose their own restrictions, particularly for brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers. These breeds face significant travel limitations due to respiratory risks at altitude.

The 2024-2025 Game Changer: Why Size Suddenly Matters More Than Ever

Here’s what most people don’t realize: the rules for bringing dogs to Costa Rica changed dramatically in 2024-2025, and it all comes down to size.

Small Dogs (Under 15-20 lbs): The Easy Path

If your Chihuahua, Yorkie, or Toy Poodle fits comfortably in a carrier under the airplane seat, you’re in luck. This is the most straightforward option.

Airlines that allow in-cabin pets to Costa Rica:

• Delta, United, American, JetBlue (from US)
• Air Canada, WestJet (from Canada)

Cost: $125-$150 per flight, plus health certificate and documentation costs Total estimated cost: $650-$1,100 round trip

The process is relatively simple: book your flight, add your pet immediately, get your health certificate within 14 days of travel, and fly. Your dog stays with you throughout the journey.

Medium Dogs (15-50 lbs): The Problem Zone

This is where things get complicated—and where Sarah ran into trouble with her Golden Retriever.

Here’s the shocking truth: As of 2024-2025, most major U.S. airlines no longer accept pets as checked baggage for civilian travelers. This represents a major industry shift confirmed by each airline’s official pet policy pages:

• United Airlines: Discontinued PetSafe program in 2023; no checked pets
• Delta Airlines: Suspended checked pet service in 2020; cargo only
• American Airlines: Only for active-duty military and State Department personnel

What does this mean? If you have a 30-pound Beagle, 40-pound Border Collie, or 50-pound Cocker Spaniel, your options from the United States are extremely limited. Most medium dogs must now travel as cargo, which is significantly more expensive and complex.

Your realistic options:

1. Fly from Canada (Air Canada and WestJet still offer checked baggage)
2. Use cargo shipping ($1,000-$2,000 round trip)
3. Qualify for military/government exemptions

Cost for cargo: $1,400-$2,800 round trip

Large Dogs (50-100+ lbs): Cargo Only

If you have a Labrador, German Shepherd, or Great Dane, cargo is your only option.

The process involves:

• Booking through airline cargo departments
• Obtaining a Costa Rica import permit (4-5 days in advance)
• Hiring a licensed customs broker in Costa Rica
• Using an IATA-compliant crate
• Potentially waiting 24-48 hours for customs clearance

Cost: $2,000-$5,000+ round trip (many people hire professional pet transport companies)

The Three Core Requirements (That Haven’t Changed)

Regardless of how your dog travels, Costa Rica requires three fundamental documents, as confirmed by both USDA APHIS and Costa Rica’s SENASA:

1. Health Certificate (Within 14 Days of Travel)

Your dog needs a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (in the US) or CFIA-endorsed veterinarian (in Canada). This must be completed within 14 days of your arrival in Costa Rica—not 14 days before you leave.

Critical timing mistake: Many people schedule their vet appointment too early, and their health certificate expires before they arrive in Costa Rica.

2. Rabies Vaccination (30 Days Before Travel)

Dogs over 3 months old must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before travel. Important: Costa Rica only accepts 1-year rabies vaccines, not the 3-year versions common in the US and Canada, according to SENASA requirements.

3. Parasite Treatment (Within 15 Days)

Your dog must be treated for internal and external parasites (ticks, fleas, worms) within 15 days before arrival. This must be documented on your health certificate.

Additional vaccinations required: Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

The #1 Mistake That Traps American Travelers

Here’s the nightmare scenario that caught Sarah and costs families thousands of dollars:

You successfully bring your dog to Costa Rica. You have a wonderful month exploring beaches and cloud forests with your furry companion. Then you try to return to the United States—and discover you’re missing a critical document.

As of August 1, 2024, the CDC implemented new requirements (official CDC announcement) for dogs entering the United States from countries like Costa Rica. Because Costa Rica is classified as a “high-risk” rabies country by the CDC (due to wildlife rabies, not dog rabies), returning to the US requires:

1. CDC Dog Import Form (easy—complete online)
2. Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form (the problem)

Here’s the catch: The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA BEFORE you leave the United States, as detailed in the USDA APHIS endorsement instructions.

If you forget to get this form before departing, you face:

• Being unable to board your return flight
• Finding a USDA-accredited vet in Costa Rica (few exist)
• Getting your dog revaccinated against rabies
• Waiting 28 days after vaccination
• Getting a rabies titer test
• Waiting for results
• Being stuck in Costa Rica for 4-8 additional weeks
• Costs exceeding $3,000

Note: After July 31, 2025, the USDA export health certificate option is no longer accepted for re-entry. You MUST have the Certification Form.

Sarah learned this the hard way. She had to extend her stay in Costa Rica by six weeks and spent over $2,500 resolving the documentation issues. “I would have paid any amount of money to have known about this before I left,” she said.

Canadian travelers have it easier: According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canada’s return requirements are much simpler—just proof of rabies vaccination. No complex CDC forms required.

What It Really Costs: The Full Breakdown

Let’s talk about money, because this is where most people underestimate. These costs are based on current USDA APHIS fee schedules and verified airline pet policies.

Small Dogs (In-Cabin):

• Veterinary exam and health certificate: $150-$300
• USDA/CFIA endorsement: $30-$150 (per USDA fee schedule: $38-$173)
• Airline pet fee (round trip): $250-$300
• Carrier (if needed): $40-$80
• Total: $650-$1,100

Medium Dogs (Cargo from US):

• Veterinary costs: $365-$860
• Cargo shipping (round trip): $1,000-$2,000
• IATA crate: $100-$250
• Import permit and customs broker: $300-$600
• Return documentation: $150-$300
• Total: $1,915-$4,010

Large Dogs (Cargo):

• Veterinary costs: $365-$860
• Cargo shipping (round trip): $1,600-$3,000
• Large IATA crate: $200-$500
• Import permit and broker: $300-$600
• Return costs: $350-$700
• Total: $2,815-$5,660

Or hire a professional pet transport service: $3,000-$6,500 all-inclusive

These costs don’t include potential emergency expenses if documents aren’t correct or if your dog appears ill upon arrival.

The Step-by-Step Timeline

3-6 Months Before:

• Research airline options based on dog size
• Book your flight AND immediately add your pet
• Find a USDA/CFIA-accredited veterinarian
• Budget for all costs

6-8 Weeks Before:

• Ensure all vaccinations are current
• Schedule rabies vaccine if needed (must be 30+ days before travel)
• Book USDA/CFIA endorsement appointment

2-3 Weeks Before:

• Vet exam and health certificate (within 14 days of arrival in Costa Rica)
• Parasite treatment administered
• Submit for USDA/CFIA endorsement
• CRITICAL FOR US TRAVELERS: Get Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form

1 Week Before:

• Confirm all documentation is correct
• Prepare carrier/crate
• Reconfirm pet is on flight manifest

Day of Travel:

• Arrive 3-4 hours early
• Don’t feed dog 3-4 hours before flight
• Never sedate (airlines prohibit this)
• Carry all documents in waterproof folder

Temporary Visit vs. Permanent Relocation

Visiting for less than 30 days? Your US/Canadian health certificate covers you. Simple entry and exit.

Staying longer than 30 days? You’ll need a new health certificate from a Costa Rican veterinarian before you can leave (your original certificate expires after 30 days). Budget $100-$200 for this.

Moving permanently? The initial requirements are the same, but you’ll want to:

• Find a local veterinarian immediately
• Continue annual rabies vaccinations (much cheaper in Costa Rica—$10-25 vs. $25-75 in US)
• Establish parasite prevention (heartworm is prevalent)
• Consider municipality registration (some areas require it)

Good news for permanent residents: Veterinary care in Costa Rica is excellent and costs 50-70% less than in the US or Canada.

Is It Worth It?

For most people relocating to or spending extended time in Costa Rica, the answer is yes. Your dog is family. The beaches, hiking trails, and outdoor lifestyle in Costa Rica are meant to be shared with your best friend.

But be realistic about:

• The complexity: This isn’t like domestic travel
• The cost: Budget $650-$5,000+ depending on dog size
• The time investment: Plan 3-6 months ahead
• The changes: 2024-2025 rules are significantly different than even two years ago

Your Next Steps

If you’re planning to bring your dog to Costa Rica, you need a comprehensive roadmap that covers:

• Detailed airline-by-airline comparisons
• Country-specific regulatory requirements for US and Canada
• Step-by-step checklists with exact timelines
• The top 10 pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Cost calculators for your specific situation
• Templates for all required documents
• What to do in every “what if” scenario

I’ve created a complete 42-page guide that walks you through every single step of the process, from finding a USDA-accredited vet to navigating Costa Rican customs to ensuring you can return home without problems.

The guide includes: ✓ Size-specific travel strategies for small, medium, large, and giant breeds ✓ Complete airline policy breakdowns (Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Alaska, Air Canada, WestJet) ✓ Exact costs broken down by dog size and travel method ✓ Regulatory requirements from USDA, CFIA, CDC, and SENASA ✓ Printable checklists and timelines ✓ Return travel requirements (including those new CDC rules) ✓ Common mistakes and how to avoid them ✓ Special considerations for service dogs, puppies, brachycephalic breeds, and multiple dogs

[Download the Complete Guide: “Bringing Your Dog to Costa Rica – The 2025 Complete Guide” – FREE]

This is the same guide I provide to my immigration clients who are relocating to Costa Rica with their pets. It’s saved hundreds of people from expensive mistakes, denied boarding, and compliance nightmares.

Whether you’re moving permanently or planning an extended vacation, this guide ensures you and your dog arrive in Costa Rica together—without stress, surprises, or unnecessary expenses.

Verified Sources & References

This article has been fact-checked against official government and airline sources:

Government Authorities:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Dog Import Requirements
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – Pet Travel
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) – Pet Import Requirements
• Costa Rica SENASA – Ministry of Agriculture

Airlines:

• Delta Air Lines Pet Travel
• United Airlines Pet Policy
• American Airlines Pet Travel
• JetBlue Pet Travel
• Air Canada Pet Policy
• WestJet Pet Travel

All regulatory information, airline policies, and fee structures cited in this article are current as of December 2024.

About the Author

As a Costa Rica immigration attorney who has helped hundreds of families relocate, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges people face when bringing their pets. This guide consolidates everything I’ve learned from client experiences, regulatory changes, and professional pet transport consultations.

Costa Rica is an incredible place to live—and it’s even better when you can share it with your four-legged family member. With proper planning, you can make it happen.

Ready to get started? Download the complete guide now and take the first step toward bringing your dog to paradise.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or veterinary advice. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official sources (USDA, CFIA, CDC, SENASA) and consult with accredited veterinarians before travel. Last verified: December 2024.